Feminist Theatre According to the reading, feminist theatre- an alternative theatre movement, was formed in the early 1970s simultaneously with the formation of second wave feminism. During this time period, organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) banded together to push against misogyny, inequality, and overall sexism in society. Feminist theatre became a platform for many of these issues to be presented and consequently to be analyzed by American society. At the time, women were (and still are) fighting for equal rights and pay in the work place, reproductive freedom, and tearing down traditionally patriarchal institutions in society. Radical feminism called for a “revolutionary restructuring of cultural power.” These opinions were voiced by women in the feminist theatre movement. While many of the groups at the time had good intentions, the movement struggled to include the demands of women of color and LGBTQ women within their platform. In many ways, the feminist movement of the 1970s failed due to its lack of inclusivity and diversity. Liberal feminism focused on the political and economic inequality of middle class white women. This focus led mainstream theatre to highlight female playwrights as writing about “women’s issues” was in vogue. Per the reading, feminist theatre groups like Spiderwoman Theatre and At the Foot of the Mountain Theatre provided a space of expression for women of color and queer women. While feminist theatre is not as prominent today as it was in the 70s and 80s, it still provides a place for critical feminist theory. Trifles is certainly radical for the period it was written in. In 1916, women still did not have the right to vote in the United States. The content matter criticizes the institutions of patriarchy found within Midwestern society at the time. The title refers to a quote by Hale, “women are used to worrying over trifles.” In a way, the playwright is making a preemptive reference to “the personal is the political” slogan of the 1970s. No one took the time to care about Minnie Wright’s personal life and how her neglect and unhappiness might lead to serious consequences. Glaspell demands that women and their personal lives be taken seriously. In this way, it is a form of early feminist theatre. It promotes the idea that women deserve equal attention, even in the case that they kill their husband. The men in the show fail to take the women seriously even though they are the ones that solve the case. Femininity is perceived as weakness. It is treated as a frivolous idea. John Wright probably perceived his wife as a weak and frivolous creature. Ultimately, this underestimation led to serious consequences on his part. In the end, Trifles is a primitive form of feminist theatre that calls attention to the lives of women in the Midwest prior to suffrage.
According to the reading, feminist theatre- an alternative theatre movement, was formed in the early 1970s simultaneously with the formation of second wave feminism. During this time period, organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) banded together to push against misogyny, inequality, and overall sexism in society. Feminist theatre became a platform for many of these issues to be presented and consequently to be analyzed by American society.
At the time, women were (and still are) fighting for equal rights and pay in the work place, reproductive freedom, and tearing down traditionally patriarchal institutions in society. Radical feminism called for a “revolutionary restructuring of cultural power.” These opinions were voiced by women in the feminist theatre movement. While many of the groups at the time had good intentions, the movement struggled to include the demands of women of color and LGBTQ women within their platform. In many ways, the feminist movement of the 1970s failed due to its lack of inclusivity and diversity. Liberal feminism focused on the political and economic inequality of middle class white women. This focus led mainstream theatre to highlight female playwrights as writing about “women’s issues” was in vogue.
Per the reading, feminist theatre groups like Spiderwoman Theatre and At the Foot of the Mountain Theatre provided a space of expression for women of color and queer women. While feminist theatre is not as prominent today as it was in the 70s and 80s, it still provides a place for critical feminist theory.
Trifles is certainly radical for the period it was written in. In 1916, women still did not have the right to vote in the United States. The content matter criticizes the institutions of patriarchy found within Midwestern society at the time. The title refers to a quote by Hale, “women are used to worrying over trifles.” In a way, the playwright is making a preemptive reference to “the personal is the political” slogan of the 1970s. No one took the time to care about Minnie Wright’s personal life and how her neglect and unhappiness might lead to serious consequences. Glaspell demands that women and their personal lives be taken seriously. In this way, it is a form of early feminist theatre. It promotes the idea that women deserve equal attention, even in the case that they kill their husband. The men in the show fail to take the women seriously even though they are the ones that solve the case. Femininity is perceived as weakness. It is treated as a frivolous idea. John Wright probably perceived his wife as a weak and frivolous creature. Ultimately, this underestimation led to serious consequences on his part. In the end, Trifles is a primitive form of feminist theatre that calls attention to the lives of women in the Midwest prior to suffrage.